As the Malta Memorial District Nursing Association (MMDNA) – a pioneer of community domiciliary nursing in the Maltese Islands during the second half of the 20th century and beginning of the 21st – moves towards closing down, it donated its archival documents to the University of Malta Library Archives and Special Collections Department during a special event held at the University library to mark the occasion.
Right from the start, the founders had striven for staff to be fully qualified and well prepared for their work. Also, during the first meeting that took place, a most important resolution was passed, whereby the scheme for home nursing would be used for the benefit of all classes of the community. This principle was strictly adhered to throughout the 70 years of MMDNA’s existence.
Dating back to the 1940s, the archives largely consist of official records such as statutes, council minutes, board of management minutes, speeches and annual reports. Also included are photos chronicling the work of the association throughout its history, two portraits of the founders, as well as interesting medical artefacts such as an old pressure pump, an oxygen mask housed in a wooden box, baby weighing scales and silver nurses’ buckles, which once formed part of their distinctive uniform.
MMDNA chairwoman Grace Jaccarini gave a presentation outlining the organisation’s significant history.
University of Malta Pro Rector Carmen Sammut thanked the MMDNA for its generous donation on behalf of the University, saying the MMDNA provided a vital service and will remain an important part of our national memory. She appealed to other organisations and individuals to follow the association’s example and to consider enriching the University archives with material that will continue to offer future generations a glimpse into our past.
Director of library services Kevin Ellul thanked the MMDNA management for choosing to donate the archive to the University’s library, where it will be well looked after and preserved for future generations.
Other MMDNA assets were presented to 12 beneficiaries, all non-profit community-based organisations related to areas of health, social, environmental and education.
www.mmdna.com